A review of the latest data available in Atakora and Donga shows that there are significant challenges to address to ensure that no one is left behind. Analysis of national poverty line data between 2015 and 2018, shows that monetary poverty in both departments increased, contrary to the national trend of a slight decrease. According to best estimates, poverty reduction has improved slightly since 2018.

Municipal-level data indicates that almost all municipalities in Atakora and Donga experienced an increase in monetary and non-monetary poverty between 2011 and 2015. No disaggregated estimates have been available since then. In 2015, the municipality of Copargo in Donga had the highest level of poverty in the country. At the departmental level, Atakora had the highest poverty rate in 2018.

Gender inequalities are a major concern for poverty reduction in Benin. Poverty is measured at the household level; however, women are more likely to live in poor households in Alibori, Donga and Borgou. More data is needed to explore deprivation at the individual level.

Data from the 2018 Harmonized Survey on Living Conditions of Households (EHCVM) shows that people experiencing poverty in Atakora and Donga have identified several key factors as main causes of poverty: lack of land, high cost of living, difficulty selling agricultural products, mismanagement/corruption, and lack of jobs.

Key informants referred to several other factors contributing to poverty in the north, including: a lack of civil registration, school desertion, employability, lack of family planning, emigration, and climate change.

Based on regional workshops, key informant interviews and data analysis, key recommendations include: increased data sharing about vulnerable populations, particularly on primary education; sharing data used for communal development plans and other local planning documents; and data disaggregation. Other important demands were made, such as conducting surveys of people living in poverty and taking their views into account; improving access to social welfare centres; and implementing planned activities to reach those at risk of being left behind.